Our Mission Friends:Partners Relief & Development

Over the course of two weeks, the Thai Mission Team will be learning more about faith-based ministries among victims of human trafficking, displaced persons, and those fleeing persecution in Myanmar (Burma); aiding and supporting existing ministries among those people; and sharing the Gospel and encouraging leaders who are ministering there.

While in Chiang Mai the Mission Team will be meeting with Partners Relief & Development as they pursue their mission to demonstrate God's love to victims of conflict and oppression. Partners was started by Steve and Oddny Gumaer after a back-packing trip into Sho Klo refugee camp in 1994. According to Steve "you can't just pray for 1.5 million refugees, tell them that Jesus loves them, and then leave them hungry, without clothes, and sick; you have to do something for them to demonstrate the heart and truth behind the prayer."

Partners takes its inspiration from the words of John the disciple, who said, "let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and in truth." (1 John 3:18). This is done through four programs:
1) Orphaned and Displaced Children's Program - Care for orphans, children in war zones, victims of brutality, and others who are displaced/marginalized due to war. Both long and short term care are provided depending on the nature of the individual crisis;
2) Emergency Relief Program - Emergency relief in times of crisis when lives are at risk due to oppression and natural disaster;
3) Development Program - Providing long-term sustainable solutions to poverty for victims of oppression and natural disaster; and
4) Capacity Building Program - Developing the God given potential of individuals and communities through training.

Partners reminds you that, "the refugees and displaced people Partners works with depend on our prayers, generosity, and actions for their own welfare and development/" You can be involved in their struggle today by:
PRAYING - You are encouraged to pray for Burma, not only personally, but also in your Bible study groups, with your family and in your church. To help you do this, Partners offers this prayer guide encompassing a week of prayer points and topics for you to use.
GIVING - There are many ways to give towards Partners' work with refugees and displaced people. Partners is funded primarily by individuals and churches. CLICK HERE for more information on ways to give, and a list of current needs. AT THIS TIME, Partners - approved by the Internal Revenue Service as a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization - has announced a donor's offer to match all monthly gifts and all new gifts (for those who haven't given since 2006) up to a maximum of $200,000.
ACTING - To learn more about how you can volunteer your time to help the people of Burma, please visit Partners' Advocacy Page.